Gerald's son, daughter and first of three granddaughters ride in the 1968 Camaro SS. | Submitted photo

The story below was submitted as part of the Collecting Cars, Collecting Memories contest

Editor’s note: As a way to celebrate Father’s Day, we posted every story we received as part of our Collecting Cars, Collecting Memories contest. Thank you to all who submitted.

My wife and I were married in 1968 and, as a wedding present, I purchased her a new Camaro SS 396.

We just celebrated our 50th anniversary on May 11 and returned to the same hotel where we spent our honeymoon (Disneyland) with our two grown kids, their spouses and three beautiful granddaughters. We had a three-bedroom suite and shared and re-shared our wedding pictures along with the Camaro.

We were fortunate that we lived very close to where the wife worked and the need to drive the Camaro was minimal. Today, it has 33,205 actual miles.

Both of our children took their driving test in the Camaro when they turned 16 and greatly impressed their instructor with their respect of the car and its big motor. The kids use the car from time to time to share with their kids (school events, baseball pics on the field, etc.).

Mom and I take it to a few local car shows along with the granddaughters and what a time they have ridding in Gram’s car — going fast with the windows down, what a thrill for Gram and I as well as the girls.